A vocal reenactment of an Israeli security checkpoint by
pro-Palestinian student groups caught the attention of many
students Monday and generated debate on the Israeli-Palestinian
issue.
Also on campus for Palestine Awareness Week was a cardboard wall
with pro-Palestinian messages, representing the Israeli security
barrier, a structure that currently runs through the West Bank.
The security checkpoint outside Kerckhoff Hall on Bruin Walk may
have only consisted of PVC pipe and chicken wire and manned by
students, but it symbolized a contentious point of the Israeli
occupation of the Gaza Strip and West Bank.
Students dressed in camouflage representing Israeli soldiers
harassed other students portraying Palestinian civilians.
Two entrances labeled “Palestinians” and
“Jews” were constructed. When a student portraying an
Israeli civilian approached the Jewish gate, they were admitted
easily.
Students representing Palestinians, on the other hand, were
forced to wait outside the gate, and some were
“arrested” by students acting as Israeli soldiers.
Shouting by the students drew attention to the scene and attracted
more onlookers.
One of the students imitating a soldier shouted, “We
brought civilization to your people; we brought running water. What
more do you want?”
Security checkpoints have been heatedly debated since the
beginning of the intifada, the term Palestinians use to describe
uprisings against the Israeli occupation, in 2000 when they were
established.
Many Israelis believe the checkpoints are necessary to control
violence and combat terrorism. Palestinians are opposed to the
checkpoints, saying they have limited access to work, education and
medical care.
A coalition of student groups, including Al-Awda, Students for
Justice in Palestine, United Arab Society and the Muslim Student
Association, organized the displays.
Alia Hasan, a member of Al-Awda, said people need to see the
discrimination against Palestinians by Israeli soldiers and how the
Palestinians are oppressed.
“We want to show the reality of the life for Palestinians
living under Israeli occupation,” Hasan said.
But not everyone who viewed the checkpoint simulation agreed
with the pro-Palestinian message or believed the event was
beneficial.
David Keyes, a second-year student and former Daily Bruin
contributor, said, “I’ve been through checkpoints, and
it’s nothing like this. With over 100 suicide bombings in
three years, I would want a checkpoint. I’ve heard a suicide
bomb go off. Unfortunately, checkpoints are necessary.”
Keyes said that checkpoints are needed when Palestinians do not
use peaceful means to object to Israeli policies and actions.
The demonstration was designed to bring attention to the harm
Israeli control of the West Bank and Gaza Strip causes
Palestinians. The awareness week at UCLA is part of a larger
International Palestine Awareness week.
The wall constructed of cardboard boxes in Schoenberg quad was
erected to represent the Israeli security barrier. The mock wall is
approximately 10 feet high and 24 feet long and was plastered with
posters protesting the Israeli occupation.
There has been contention over what to call the actual barrier,
as Israelis call it a fence and Palestinians characterize it as a
wall. The structure is approximately 440 miles long, runs through
the West Bank, and has a concrete base with differing security
measures at various points.
Jesus Cameron, a third-year political science student and a
member of Students for Justice in Palestine, acted in the protest
as a soldier.
Cameron said he wanted to take part in the demonstration to get
in students’ faces and make them aware of injustices against
Palestinians.
Muizz Rafique, a third-year business and economics student who
took part as an Israeli soldier, said he “felt it was
necessary to portray what Palestinians have to go through on an
everyday basis and how the checkpoints disrupt everyday
life.”
Eiran Yehoshua, a third-year sociology student, participated in
his own way, simulating a suicide bomber by walking up to the
checkpoint and exclaiming, “Boom!”
Yehoshua said the message conveyed by the protesters was
“completely ridiculous” and that he acted as a suicide
bomber to show a contrasting side to the argument.
Meir Levi, from Saratoga, came to campus with his son for a
freshman tour and was upset by the security checkpoint
enactment.
“Before the intifada, there were no checkpoints. (The
demonstrators) tell you what is going on, but they don’t tell
you why,” he said.
Other students felt any way of bringing awareness to the
situation in the Middle East was a positive thing.
“It’s a good way of making people aware. People can
decide for themselves where they stand. It’s a means for
sparking debate, and that’s the most important thing,”
said Reza Marashi, a student who watched the protest.
Other events scheduled for the week include presentations by
professors and others who have visited the Middle East.
With reports from Charles Proctor, Bruin senior
staff.